LOK SABHA
CHAR DHAM PROJECT
43. SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH VERMA
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन एंव राज्यमार्ग मंत्री be pleased to state:
(a) the details of road construction work completed under Char Dham Project till 31 Decemeber, 2020;
(b) the measures taken to protect eco-sensitive zones of the State of Uttarakhand; and
(c) whether the project will be completed before the Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2021 and if so, the details thereof?
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) to (c) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 43 FOR ANSWER ON 04.02.2021 ASKED BY SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH VERMA REGARDING CHAR DHAM PROJECT
(a) Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRT&H) have taken up improvement and widening of 825 km (existing 889 km) of National Highways (NHs) for providing improved and safer road connectivity from Rishikesh to Janki Chati (Yamunotri), Gangotri, Gaurikund (Kedarnath) and Mana (Badrinath) including Tanakpur to Pithoragarh section of Kailash- Mansarovar route in the State of Uttarakhand at a total cost of Rs. 12072 crores under 53 separate projects. Out of these, 40 projects amounting to Rs. 9474 crore (including cost of pre-construction activities amounting to Rs. 491 crore) for development of 671 km NHs have already been sanctioned and work contracts in 38 projects amounting to Rs. 8378 crore for development of 646 km NHs have been awarded. 9 projects amounting to Rs. 1025 crore have been completed. Construction of about 450km of road have been achieved as on 31 December, 2020.
(b) The NH from Uttarkashi to Gangotri (94km) passes through the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone (BESZ). No work has been sanctioned on this section till date. Development of this section will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines prescribed in Zonal Master Plan (ZMP) approved by MoEF&CC on 16.07.2020 and the final recommendation of the Supreme Court appointed High Powered Committee (HPC) on road width and environmental protection measures suggested based on rapid Environment Impact Assessment conducted by MoRTH.
(c) No sir. The project for development of road connectivity to Char Dham was initially targeted for completion by March, 2020. However, the schedule date of completion of the project has been delayed mainly due to litigation in the Hon’ble National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Hon’ble Supreme Court filed by the petitioner, namely, Citizens for Green Doon. Hon’ble Supreme Court vide order dated 08.08.2019 constituted a High Power Committee (HPC) under the chairmanship of Prof. Ravi Chopra to look into the environmental and other issues related to the projects for development of road connectivity to Char Dham. 13 projects could not be sanctioned pending decision on carriageway width among the members of the HPC. Recommendation of the HPC has been submitted to Hon’ble Supreme Court on 31.12.2020. The matter is still subjudice.